Opening in September 2010, prior to the start of the International Food & Wine Festival, will be a new addition to Epcot's list of great places to dine.

Via Napoli

The new 14,000 sqft restaurant will be called Via Napoli, providing an authentic Italian Pizzeria in the Italy Pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase. It will be located next door to the Tutto Italia Restaurant. The Patina Restaurant Group which currently operates Tutto Italia will also operate Via Napoli.

The above picture shows the construction under way for Via Napoli earlier this Spring in anticipation of a September opening. Notice Tutto Italia on the left hand side. Via Napoli will take up the entire rear wall area and expand the boundary of the Italy Pavilion. This is a totally new building being created for this restaurant.

Authentic Neapolitan Pizzas

The Patina Restaurant Group prides itself on its other authentic Neapolitan Style Pizzerias including Naples 45 in New York City, and Naples Ristorante E in Downtown Disney - Disneyland in California.

Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti created the concept based upon his travels in Italy and studying at famous Naples Pizzerias: Da Michele and Trianon.

In order to create authentic Neapolitan pizzas as they have successfully done in their other locations, there is great care in using authentic ingrediants such as San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo flour, handmade fresh mozzarella, Parma Cotto, crumbled sausage and water calibrated specifically to the pH found in Naples.

A unique feature at Via Napoli will be the wood-burning ovens, which are named after the three active volcanoes in Italy – Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli. Each oven will be sculpted with the “face of the volcano” -- reflecting the gods whose mythology surrounds each volcano’s history.

These unique ovens will make Via Napoli another great Disney World Restaurant that has great theming and details that go well beyond the food itself.

Patina Restaurant Group Press Release

Here is an excerpt from the official Patina Restaurant Group Press Release announcing Via Napoli:

This September, Patina Restaurant Group plans to open a new casual pizzeria, called Via Napoli, adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante, its restaurant in the Italy pavilion in Epcot® World Showcase at Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Restaurateur and longtime Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti created the Via Napoli concept, based upon his travels in Southern Italy and his time developing and overseeing the successful Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria in New York which was awarded the coveted certification of “La Vera Pizza Napoletana.”

While in Naples, Valenti spent time studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon. At Da Ettore, he discovered the art of pagnotiello, a folded round of pizza dough filled with mozzarella, ham and mushrooms.

“I have always loved the beauty of a simple Neapolitan pizza,” Valenti says. “It’s a perfect food, something beloved by both Italians and Americans. I look forward to bringing it to Walt Disney World, where it should be a welcome addition to guests visiting Epcot.”

“At Via Napoli we will make pizza the traditional Neapolitan way: with a textured, soft and charred crust.”

The new 14,000 sq. ft. pizzeria will feature a selection of classical Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante, ortolano and a traditional margherita. Famed Pizzaiolo Charlie Restivo will serve as executive chef at Via Napoli, where he will craft the pies using simple and delicious Italian ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo flour, handmade fresh mozzarella, Parma Cotto, crumbled sausage and water calibrated specifically to the pH found in Naples.

“We’re excited to be working with the Patina Restaurant Group once again on this significant expansion project,” said Dan Cockerell, vice president of Epcot. “Via Napoli will certainly enhance the guest experience and the architectural landscape of World Showcase just in time for our 15th annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival.”

Much Anticipated Pizzeria

Judging by the discussions on the internet, Via Napoli is a much anticipated addition to Epcot. There are still many details to be revealed such as the complete menu, food pricing, and whether or not Via Napoli will participate on the Disney Dining Plan.

Hopefully all of these questions and more will be answered shortly, as we count down until the September opening.